Thekla's lark
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Galerida theklae

Thekla's lark (Galerida theklae ), also known as the Thekla lark, is a species of lark that breeds on the Iberian Peninsula, in northern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary (non-migratory) species. This is a common bird of dry open country, often at some altitude. Thekla's lark was named by Alfred Edmund Brehm in 1857 for his recently deceased sister Thekla Brehm (1833–1857). The name is a modern Greek one, Θέκλα (Thekla), which comes from ancient Greek Θεόκλεια (Theokleia) derived from θεός (theos, "god") and κλέος (kleos, "glory" or "honour"). The population is declining in Spain, but this is a common bird with a very wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

Appearance

This is a smallish lark, slightly smaller than the Eurasian skylark. It has a long, spiky, erectile crest. It is greyer than the Eurasian skylark, and lacks the white wing and tail edge of that species. It is very similar to the widespread crested lark. It is smaller and somewhat greyer than that species, and has a shorter bill. In flight it shows grey underwings, whereas the crested lark has reddish underwings. The body is mainly dark-streaked grey above and whitish below. The sexes are similar.

Distribution

Geography

Thekla's lark is native and resident in France, Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Tunisia and Western Sahara. Its typical habitat is rugged areas with scrub, bare patches of ground and semi-arid grassland.

Thekla's lark habitat map
Thekla's lark habitat map
Thekla's lark
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Habits and Lifestyle

It nests on the ground, laying two to six eggs. Its food is weed, seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season.

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The song is melodious and varied, with mournful whistles and mimicry included. It is softer and more tuneful than that of the crested lark, and may be sung during flight or from the ground or an exposed perch.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Population

References

1. Thekla's lark Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thekla's_lark
2. Thekla's lark on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22717387/111112049
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/685814

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